For some time I had wanted to visit Prague, Czech Republic, and to catch up with my brother as he travels around Europe. July 1997 -- on just a few day's notice -- I was able to do both in a single trip. Jay phoned me saying he was wrapping up in Europe and would return to USA unless I wanted to come over, then he would go to FISM in Dresden. This was before web reservations. I drove to the CSAA travel agent to arrange to flights then phoned back to confirm once work approved the time off.

Photos were taken with a Canon T90 and 35-200mm zoom. I kept a daily notebook but then left it in the seat-pouch on the Prague-Frankfurt return flight. So this narrative is from memory. Refer to the maps below to understand the destinations. (Note that I had committed to flying into Stuttgart and out of Prague when I purchased my tickets.)